Aric of Dacia readies to meet the Vine at its very root on the planet Loam. But before taking on Planet Death, this man out of time, must defend a world far removed from his own Visigoth heritage. Aric is the first man to wield the armor of the X-O Manowar, and he’s Earth’s last line of defense against an alien invasion force who desperately want that weapon back. This week we speak to writer Robert Venditti about capturing the voice of a displaced Visigoth and leading Valiant’s vanguard into the modern day.

X-O Manowar #9

Writer Robert Venditti

Art by Trevor Hairsine

32 pages/Color/$3.99

Music:

“Primitive Notion”

New Order

The female super hero of the Marvel Universe takes to the skies for this first issue of a new story arc and a perfect jumping on point for new readers with Captain Marvel #9. Writer Kelly Sue Deconnick comes to talk about the ride with this ongoing solo character series so far, her take on the character and what readers can expect from this issue. We also get into the visual look of Captain Marvel and Kelly Sue’s thoughts on her various artistic collaborates, as well as just what is going on with her hair…you know, the important issues.

Captain Marvel #9

Written by Kelly Sue DeConnick

Art by Felipe Andrade

Colors by Jordie Bellaire

Cover by Jamie McKelvie

Music:

The Mother We Share

CHVRCHES

Punch it, Chewie! We kick off 2013 with a big Don't Miss dedicated to a very big book. Writer Brian Wood takes us back to a time long ago in a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars #1, an all new story set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back! The Death Star is in pieces, but the Rebel Alliance is still holding itself together with duct tape. Darth Vader gets demoted! Leia hops into an X-Wing! And the family tree is still a little shady. Join us as we talk to Wood about his larger-than-life 2012, the decision to take this iconic licensed property adjectiveless, Disney's acquisition of LucasFilm, and the bounty of Wookiepedia.

STAR WARS #1

Written by Brian Wood

Art by Carlos D'Anda

Colors by Gabe Eltaeb

Cover by Alex Ross

Music:

"Star Wars Main Title Medley/Rebel Blockade Runner"

John Williams

Jim Shooter chronicled the psionic tug-of-war between Peter "Sting" Stanchek and the enigmatic Toyo Harada for over 40 issues in the early 90s. Nearly 20 years later, Valiant Entertainment is back, and with it, an all new interpretation of Harbinger. We spoke to series writer Joshua Dysart about his new vision for the iconic struggle between two impossibly powerful men equipped with the full range of telekinetic abilities.

In each new issue of the "Renegade" arc, starting with this week's Harbinger #6, latent fans will meet Peter's allies in the war against Harada's ubiquitous corporation and its legion of psionic warriors. We'll also see the Valiant universe as its never been seen before, rendered by a new artist each chapter. And, geez, what a sensational list of artists it is.

Things are about to get mental.

Writer: Joshua Dysart

Penciler: Phil Briones

Cover Artist: Mico Suayan, Matthew Clark

$3.99/32 pages

ALL-NEW ARC! From out of the ashes – RENEGADES!

After a crushing defeat at the hands of his would-be mentor, Peter Stanchek lies critically wounded and the only person who can save him is the person that hates him the most – his childhood love Kris Hathaway. As Harada’s Eggbreaker strike force closes in, the helpless Peter wonders if he is going to find forgiveness at Kris’s door – or unbridled vengeance. But when Faith returns as the superhero she’s always dreamed of being, the game is going to change for everyone involved…

Music:

"The Hive"

Deus Ex: Human Revolution (Original Soundtrack)

Michael McCann

Continuing the parade of new series from Image Comics, Great Pacific #1 is this week’s entry into the world of new comics that you should be checking out. Writer Joe Harris joins us to talk about the inspiration for Great Pacific, an enormous ecological phenomenon currently happening in the Pacific Ocean, which launches this tale that combines science fiction, adventure and a little political intrigue. Fans of near present sci-fi will definitely want to give Great Pacific #1 a read.

Great Pacific #1

Written by Joe Harris

Art by Martin Morazzo

Image Comics $2.99

Music:

“Between Pacific Coasts”

The Promise Ring

We turn now to old Eternia in the wake of bloody civil war. Who is the cloaked terror who stalks the kingdom, hellbent on reclaiming the throne of his birthright, thirsty for righteous vengeance against his own kin? How did he earn his gruesome death’s mask? What sinister motivations roil within the grim skull of Skeletor? Just in time for Halloween, we sit down with Joshua Hale Fialkov to unveil the secret history of your toy chest’s most twisted despot. Why is Frank Langella so angry? What does it all have to do with Ingmar Bergman’s Wild Strawberries? The answers just might rock your skull.

Masters of the Universe: The Origin of Skeletor #1

Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov

Art by Frazer Irving

Cover by Frazer Irving

Color/32 pages/$2.99

DC Comics

Music:

“The Veil of Isis”

The Sword

One of 2012′s most anticipated comics, Happy! #1, combines the writing of Grant Morrison with the art of Darick Robertson to bring us a modern Christmas story in a way that only Morrison and Robertson could dream up. Meet Nick Sax, a down on his luck ex-cop who, after a hit goes wrong, finds out his fate is tied in with a flying blue horse named Happy! If that isn’t enough to get you on board, than I don’t know what you’d need. We chat with Grant Morrison about the origins of Happy! and what his thoughts on creator owned work and Christmas movies.

Happy! #1

Written by Grant Morrison

Art by Darick Robertson

Image Comics – $2.99

Music:

“Happy”

Ned’s Atomic Dustbin

Geronimo! Paul thumbs a ride on the TARDIS with Andy Diggle, lead writer of IDW's all new Doctor Who ongoing! With which of the time lord's many incarnations did Diggle first venture into the vast reaches of time and space? What does he think about the 11th and current Doctor portrayed on television by Matt Smith? Will the timey be wibbly-wobbly? Hold on to your fez and find out in the latest Don't Miss podcast!

DOCTOR WHO #1

Written by Andy Diggle

Art and Cover by Mark Buckingham

The Doctor is back! Welcome to a new, exciting era for everyone’s favorite Time Lord, as New York Times bestselling writer Andy Diggle (The Losers) pilots the TARDIS as the ongoing series architect. Joining him for this first arc is Eisner Award-winning artist Mark Buckingham (Fables), who also will provide covers for the series. Geronimo!

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

IDW Publishing

Music:

"Doctor Who XI"

"I am the Doctor"

Murray Gold and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales

Walter Simonson is an actual living and working legend in comics, and the good news is that he doesn’t seem like he’s close to done. The man draws and writes this original graphic novel, The Judas Coin, which works a bit like an anthology that spans distant corners of the DC Universe, following the cursed payment for the betrayal of Christ, but also featuring Batman. Simonson is still very much pushing and challenging himself with comics at a point in his career where many would just sit back and put it on cruise control, and it’s incredibly inspiring.

The Judas Coin HC

Written and Drawn by Walter Simonson

Color/96 Pages/$22.99

DC Comics

Music:

Boy With a Coin

Iron and Wine

IDW's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mythos has grown incredibly rich and inventive over a very short amount of time. With their recent Micro Series of dedicated character studies, that depth has increased exponentially. But with the turtles, Master Splinter, Casey Jones and April O'Neil all accounted for, who's next in line? This week, writer Paul Allor introduces the tragic and adorable rogue robot Fugitoid into the mix for his IDW debut. Whose mind resides within the complex matrices of that android chassis, and why is he constantly on the run? Grab a slice and settle in for one radical ride!

Music:

"Ninja Rap"

Vanilla Ice